JPH11286368A - Sheet after-processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To dispense with a sheet moving means and a moving means of a stapling means by independently mounting a stapling means for edge binding and a stapling means for saddle stitching. SOLUTION: When the stapling work is to be performed onto a lower edge of a bundle of sheets 51 matched in a matching tray 53, the sheets are pressed onto the matching tray 53 by a pressing member 146. Then a reference fence 64 is retreated from a moving path of a stapler for edge binding 106. The stapler for edge binding 106 is moved to a specific position in this state. On the other hand, when the saddle stitching is performed on a central part along the conveying direction, of the bundle of sheets 51, the reference fence 64 is moved by a specific amount in parallel with the matching tray 53 so that the central part of the sheets 51 is located on a stapling position of a stapler for saddle stitching 113. Then the saddle stitching is performed by driving a driving motor 116 in this state.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet post-processing apparatus used in an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a printer, and performs a stapling process for binding a plurality of sheets on which images are formed. The present invention relates to a sheet post-processing apparatus to be applied.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in an image forming apparatus such as the above-described electrophotographic copying machine or printer, a document to be copied or printed is simply replaced with an image of a document of a predetermined size in accordance with diversification of office work and efficiency. In addition to copying or printing a predetermined number of sheets on a sheet, it is also required to perform a so-called stapling process of binding a plurality of sets of sheets on which an image of a document has been copied or printed, one by one. At that time, when binding the paper on which the image of the document has been copied or printed, a predetermined number of sheets are stacked in a state where they are aligned for each copy, and along one edge of the stacked predetermined number of sheets, A plurality of (generally two) stapling is performed at a predetermined interval, and a corner of a predetermined number of stacked sheets is cut by 45
Along the center line that divides a predetermined number of stacked sheets into two,
The so-called “saddle stitching” is performed at a plurality of positions (generally, two positions) at predetermined intervals.

Conventionally, as a technique relating to a sheet post-processing apparatus used in an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a printer capable of performing “saddle stitching” together with “end stitching” of this kind, for example, The ones disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei. 4-361095 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 6-72064 have already been proposed. These JP-A-4-36109
No. 5, JP-A-6-72064 and the like are both sheet post-processing apparatuses capable of edge stapling and saddle stitching of sheets. It is configured to be performed using a stapler.

[0004] To explain more,
The bookbinding apparatus according to Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 95-21095 includes a placing unit capable of stacking a discharge sheet of an image forming apparatus on a predetermined placing surface, and loading the sheet into a predetermined placing surface of the placing unit to form a plurality of sheets. A conveying unit that conveys the sheets in a stacked manner, and unloads the stacked bundle of sheets from the mounting unit, and needles that face each other with a sheet conveying track surface of the conveying unit including the predetermined mounting surface interposed therebetween A means for binding a plurality of sheets by bending a leading end portion of a needle driven into the sheet bundle from the staple portion by the staple receiving portion, and abutting the trailing edge of the sheet. A rear end supporting means for supporting the rear edge,
A moving means for moving the rear end supporting means in the direction of the abutment is provided.

[0005] In the recording apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-72064, a recording apparatus according to claim 1 includes an inclined stack tray for stacking recorded paper sheets, A sheet discharging device that conveys and discharges the sheet so that the traveling direction of the sheet is upward, and moves downward along the stack tray surface and the first position, which is the highest position near the bottom of the sheet discharging device. A sheet stack reference member that can take the second position, a driving unit that drives one side of the binding staple into the sheet across the stack tray surface provided adjacent to the first position, and a driving unit that is located on the other side. A bent section for bending staples struck into a sheet is separated into a stapler configured so that the sheet can move between the stapler and a sheet on the stack tray. Those configured to have a conveying device for conveying discharged to the tray upward.

Further, among the recording apparatuses disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-72064, a recording apparatus according to a fourth aspect is a recording apparatus capable of performing flat stapling and saddle stapling of a recorded sheet by a stapler. A first transport path that guides and transports the discharged paper directly to a paper discharge unit, a second transport path that guides and transports the paper discharged from the recording device to the binding position by the stapler, and a relative position between the stapler and the paper. A sheet position regulating device that performs saddle stitching or flat stitching by controlling the position, a third conveyance path that guides and conveys the sheet from the stapling position to the sheet discharge unit, and a small number of paper passages provided in the third conveyance path. A folding device capable of selectively operating to fold the paper into two, and a fourth device for guiding and transporting the paper from the folding device to a paper discharge unit.
And a transfer path.

[0007]

However, the prior art described above has the following problems. That is, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei.
In the case of the sheet post-processing apparatus disclosed in JP-A-72064, etc., when performing saddle stitching on a sheet, the sheet is folded in two from the center to form a booklet. The number of sheets becomes 40 pages when bound even about 10 sheets, there is no problem in actual use, and the binding position and angle are also
A straight angle (0 °) along a straight line may be used for binding at two locations along the center line of the sheet.

However, when edge binding is performed on sheets, it may be necessary to bind more than 50 sheets in some cases, and the positions and angles at which the sheets are bound may be two locations along one edge of the sheet. In binding, in addition to the straight angle (0 °) along the straight line, it may be necessary to bind only one corner of the paper diagonally (45 °), which is required for edge binding and saddle stitching. The stapler specification and binding angle are different.

On the other hand, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei.
In the case of the sheet post-processing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5 (1995) -205 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-72064, the end stapling and the saddle stitching are performed by one stapler. Therefore, the number of sheets to be stapled is large, and the stapling angle is two places along one edge of the sheet. In addition to the straight angle (0 °) along the straight line, the corner of the sheet is slanted by one place. The stapler not only needs to be large in size but also needs to be moved in a straight line along one edge of the paper in accordance with the edge stapling that may need to be stapled at (45 °). It is necessary to move the stapler to a position inclined obliquely (45 °) to the angle of the paper, and it is necessary to use a large stapler moving mechanism, which complicates the configuration and operation of the apparatus and reduces the cost. However, there was a problem that it was rather negative on the surface.

Further, in the case of the sheet post-processing apparatus disclosed in the above-mentioned JP-A-4-361095 and JP-A-6-72064, the end stapling and the saddle stitching are all performed by one.
It is configured to perform with only one stapler, so even if the user only needs the edge binding, it will inevitably be possible to perform the saddle stitching. There was a problem.

Further, in the case of the sheet post-processing apparatus disclosed in JP-A-4-361095 or JP-A-6-72064, a tray for discharging the edge-stitched sheet and a saddle stitch are provided. And the saddle stitched paper are mixed on one tray because the same tray is used to discharge the stapled paper, and the operability of the post-processed paper is poor. He also had points.

Further, in the case of the sheet post-processing apparatus disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-361095, when the saddle stitch is performed on the sheet,
There is no folding device for folding the paper, and the user has to manually fold the paper, which is not convenient.

In the case of the sheet post-processing apparatus disclosed in JP-A-6-72064, a folding device for folding the saddle-stitched sheet into two is provided. There is no mechanism for assisting the folding, and the method is to fold the sheet by using the buckling of the sheet to fold the sheet.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. The first object of the present invention is to enable saddle stitching in addition to end stitching. Without increasing the size and complexity of the equipment.
In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet post-processing apparatus capable of reducing costs.

A second object of the present invention is that, of course, saddle stitching is possible in addition to edge stapling.
An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet post-processing apparatus that can easily cope with a user who only needs edge binding.

Further, a third object of the present invention is to improve the operability of the sheet after the post-processing by discharging the edge-stitched sheet and the saddle-stitched sheet to different trays. It is another object of the present invention to provide a sheet post-processing apparatus capable of improving the image quality.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a center folding means for automatically folding a saddle-stitched sheet into two when the sheet is saddle-stitched. It is another object of the present invention to provide a sheet post-processing apparatus capable of automatically and accurately folding a saddle stitched sheet into two sheets.

[0018]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus, comprising: aligning a plurality of sheets on which an image is formed with reference to one edge; In a sheet post-processing apparatus for performing post-processing in which one end edge of a sheet or a central portion of the sheet is bound by stapling means, the plurality of sheets on which the images are formed are placed in alignment with one end edge as a reference. An alignment tray member, staple means for end binding arranged at one end side of the alignment tray member and binding one edge of a plurality of sheets arranged on the alignment tray member, and an intermediate portion of the alignment tray member. Staple means for saddle stitching, which is arranged and binds a central portion of a plurality of sheets aligned by the sheet alignment tray member, and a plurality of sheets aligned by the alignment tray member. Sheet moving means for moving a bundle of sheets such that the center thereof is located at the saddle stapling means, and a bundle of sheets stapled by the end stapling means or the saddle stapling means. And a sheet discharging means for discharging the sheet.

The invention according to a second aspect is characterized in that the center of the bundle of sheets, the center of which is bound by the saddle stapling means, is formed by a pair of center folding rolls arranged so as to face each other. Moved to the center, press-fit the knife-shaped middle folding member into the center of the sheet bundle,
2. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a center folding unit configured to rotate the pair of center folding rolls to fold a bundle of sheets whose center portion is bound into two. is there.

Further, according to a third aspect of the present invention, a saddle stitching processing section comprising the saddle stapling means and the center folding means is integrally unitized, and this saddle stitching processing unit is attached to the apparatus main body. 3. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the sheet post-processing apparatus is detachably attached.

Still further, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an end binding sheet discharging means for discharging a bundle of sheets bound by the end binding staple means, and the end binding sheet discharging means. Sheet storing means for edge binding for storing a bundle of sheets to be discharged in a stacked state; sheet discharging means for saddle binding for discharging a bundle of sheets bound by the staple means for saddle stitching; The sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a saddle stitching sheet accommodating means for discharging a bundle of sheets stapled by the stapling means. It is a post-processing device.

Further, the invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the end stapling means is provided with a moving mechanism for moving a sheet along one edge. A sheet post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 13.

[0023]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an alignment tray member for placing a plurality of sheets on which the images are formed in alignment with one edge as a reference, and one end of the alignment tray member. Side stapling means for stapling one edge of a plurality of sheets arranged on the alignment tray member, and an intermediate stapling means arranged at an intermediate portion of the alignment tray member, and Saddle stapling means for binding the central portion of the aligned plurality of sheets, and the plurality of sheets aligned by the alignment tray member, such that the central portion is located in the stapling means for saddle stitching, Sheet moving means for moving a bundle of sheets, and a sheet discharger for discharging a bundle of sheets bound by the end stapling means or the saddle stapling means And so on, so that the staple means for end stapling and the staple means for saddle stitching are separately provided, and it is of course possible to perform saddle stitching in addition to end stapling. The staple means and the staple means for saddle stitching may be separately designed according to the function required for each staple means, as in the case where one staple means is used for end stapling and saddle stitching. ,
The means for moving the sheet and the means for moving the stapling means are complicated, so that the apparatus is not enlarged or complicated, and the cost can be reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the central portion of the sheet bundle, the central portion of which is bound by the saddle stapling means, is disposed between a pair of middle sheets arranged so as to face each other. By moving the sheet to the center of the folding roll, pressing the knife-shaped center folding member into the center of the sheet bundle, and rotating and driving the pair of center folding rolls, the bundle of sheets whose center is bound is It is configured to have a middle folding means for folding the
When saddle-stitching is performed on a sheet, the saddle-stitched sheet is automatically and accurately detected by the center-folding means.
It is possible to break it into two.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the saddle stitching processing section comprising the saddle stapling means and the center folding means is integrally unitized, and the saddle stitching processing unit is integrated with the apparatus main body. In addition, since it is configured to be detachably attached, it is possible to perform saddle stitching in addition to end stapling, and for a user who only needs end stitching, a saddle stitching processing unit is provided. By removing it from the main body, it is possible to easily cope with it.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an edge binding sheet discharging means for discharging a bundle of sheets bound by the edge binding stapling means,
End stapling sheet accommodating means for accommodating the stack of sheets discharged by the end stitching sheet discharging means in a stacked state, and saddle stitching for discharging the sheet bundle bound by the saddle stapling means. And the sheet storage means for discharging the bundle of sheets bound by the staple means for saddle stitching are separately provided. By discharging the sheet and the saddle-stitched sheet to different sheet storage units, the operability of the post-processed sheet can be improved.

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below based on an embodiment shown in the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a digital color copying machine having a printer function as an embodiment of an image forming apparatus to which the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a main body of a digital color copying machine.
An eInput Terminal (hereinafter, referred to as “IIT”) 3 is provided. The IIT 3 illuminates the image of the original 2 placed on the platen glass 4 with the light source 6 while pressing the original 2 placed on the platen glass 4 with the platen cover 5, and The reflected light image is converted into first and second scanning mirrors 7 and 8.
The CCD sensor 10 scans and exposes the color material reflected light image of the original 2 to a predetermined dot density (for example, 16 dots / m) by the CCD sensor 10 via the imaging lens 9.
m).

Original 2 read by IIT 3
Is transmitted to the image processing unit 12 as document reflectance data of three colors, for example, red (R), green (G), and blue (B) (each of 8 bits). Then, shading correction, positional deviation correction, brightness / color space conversion, gamma correction, frame erasing,
Predetermined image processing such as color / movement editing is performed. The image processing section 12 also performs predetermined image processing on image data sent from a host computer or the like (not shown) via a communication line.

The image data subjected to the predetermined image processing by the image processing unit 12 as described above includes black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) (each 8 bi).
t) is converted into original color material gradation data of three colors, and is configured as follows: Image Output Termi
nal (hereinafter, referred to as “IOT”) 13 is output as a color image. The image data subjected to the predetermined image processing by the image processing unit 12 includes black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) (each 8 bits).
Are converted into the three-color original color material gradation data of IOT13
Raster Output Scanner (hereinafter, referred to as
It is called "ROS". The ROS 15 performs image exposure using laser light according to the original color material gradation data.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ROS 15 modulates the semiconductor laser 16 in accordance with the original color material gradation data, and emits laser light LB from the semiconductor laser 16 in accordance with the gradation data. The laser beam LB emitted from the semiconductor laser 16 is deflected and scanned by the rotary polygon mirror 17 and is reflected by the photosensitive drum 2 via the reflection mirror 18.
Scanning exposure is performed on 0.

The photosensitive drum 20 on which the laser beam LB is scanned and exposed by the ROS 15 is driven to rotate at a predetermined speed in a direction indicated by an arrow by driving means (not shown). The surface of the photosensitive drum 20 is
After being charged to a predetermined potential by the charging corotron 21 in advance, an electrostatic latent image is formed by scanning and exposing a laser beam LB in accordance with document color material gradation data. The electrostatic latent images formed on the photoreceptor drum 20 include four color developing units 22K, 22Y, 22M, 22C of black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C).
Are sequentially developed by a rotary type developing device 22 provided with a toner image having a predetermined color.

The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 20 is sequentially transferred onto a transfer sheet 24 held on a transfer drum 23 disposed adjacent to the photosensitive drum 20 by charging of a transfer corotron 25. Transcribed. As shown in FIG. 2, the transfer paper 24 is fed from one of a plurality of paper feed cassettes 28, 29, and 30 housed in the lower part of the copying machine main body 1 by a paper feed roll 31, or Paper can also be fed from a manual feed tray 38 arranged on a side surface outside the copying apparatus main body 1.
Is transported to the surface of the transfer drum 23 by the transport roller 32 and the registration roller 33 at a predetermined timing. The transfer paper 24 is held on the surface of the transfer drum 23 in a state where the transfer paper 24 is electrostatically attracted to the surface of the transfer drum 23 by charging of the transfer corotron 25 which also serves as a charger for electrostatic suction. The manual feed tray 38 can also feed a transparent OHP sheet for an overhead projector or the like in addition to a transfer sheet of a non-standard size such as a postcard, so that an image can be formed on the OHP sheet or the like. ing.

The transfer paper 24 on which the toner image of a predetermined number of colors has been transferred from the photosensitive drum 20 is separated from the surface of the transfer drum 23 by discharging the corotron 34 for separation. The toner image is fixed on the transfer paper 24 by heat and pressure by the fixing device 35, and is discharged out of the copying machine main body 1.
The one-sided color image forming process is completed.

On the other hand, in the digital color copying machine, when forming a two-sided color image, the transfer paper 24 having the color image formed on one side is not discharged to the outside as it is, and the color image is formed on this one side. Transfer paper 2
4 is conveyed to a sheet reversing path 48 by a conveyance direction switching member 47 and temporarily stored in an intermediate tray 49 in a state where the transfer sheet 24 is turned upside down. The transfer paper 23 is configured to form a color image on both the front and back surfaces of the transfer paper 24.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 37 denotes a charge removing corotron pair for removing charge from the transfer drum 23.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an image forming unit of the digital color copying machine of the above-mentioned multiple transfer system.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 20 denotes the photosensitive drum, and a transfer drum 23 as a transfer material carrier is disposed so as to be in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 20 with a small gap therebetween. I have. The transfer drum 23 is driven to rotate at the same speed as the peripheral speed of the photosensitive drum 20 by a drive mechanism (not shown). As shown in FIG. 4, the transfer drum 23 includes a pair of ring members 40, 4 as annular members disposed at both ends in the axial direction.
And a tie bar plate 41 as a connecting member for connecting the ring members 40 and 40 to each other. The tie bar plate 41 is made of a dielectric film such as polyethylene terephthalate or polyvinylidene fluoride. A circumferential front end portion 42a of the transfer film 42 is fixed, and both side ends are wound around a frame along the outer peripheral surfaces of the ring members 40, 40, and a circumferential rear end portion of the transfer film 42 is formed. 42b is fixed to the tie bar plate 41 and formed in a hollow cylindrical shape.

As described above, the transfer paper 24 is supplied to the transfer drum 23 from one of the plurality of paper feed cassettes 28, 29, and 30. The transfer paper 24 is suctioned from the back side of the transfer drum 23. It is charged by the transfer corotron 25, which also functions as a charging device, and is electrostatically attracted onto the transfer film 42 of the transfer drum 23. The transfer paper 24 adsorbed on the transfer drum 23 has the photosensitive drum 2
The toner images of black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) sequentially formed on 0 are sequentially transferred by charging the transfer corotron 25.

The transfer paper 24 on which the toner image of a predetermined number of colors has been transferred from the photosensitive drum 20 is discharged by the peeling corotron 34 and, as shown in FIG. After being separated from the surface of the fixing device 35, the toner image is conveyed to the fixing device 35 via the conveying guide 45, and the toner image is fixed on the transfer paper 24 by heat and pressure by the fixing roller 35a and the pressure roller 35b of the fixing device 35, The sheet is discharged to a sheet post-processing device described later by the fuser outlet roll 46.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 2, the digital color copying machine constructed as described above is provided with, for example, a plurality of sheets of transfer paper or the like on which an image is formed by the digital color copying machine. A sheet post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing that aligns with one end edge as a reference and binds one edge of these aligned sheets or the central portion of the sheet by stapling means is used in combination.

The sheet post-processing apparatus according to this embodiment includes an alignment tray member for placing a plurality of sheets on which images are formed in alignment with one edge as a reference, and one end side of the alignment tray member. Staple means for stapling one edge of a plurality of sheets arranged on the alignment tray member, and staple means arranged at an intermediate portion of the alignment tray member and aligned by the sheet alignment tray member. Saddle stapling means for binding a central portion of the plurality of sheets, and a plurality of sheets aligned by the alignment tray member, such that the center portion is located in the stapling means for saddle stitching, Sheet moving means for moving a bundle of sheets, and a sheet for discharging a bundle of sheets bound by the end stapling means or the saddle stapling means. Is configured to include a means exits, the.

Further, in the sheet post-processing apparatus according to this embodiment, the central portion of the bundle of sheets, the central portion of which is bound by the saddle stapling means, is disposed between a pair of centrally arranged sheets facing each other. By moving the sheet to the center of the folding roll, pressing the knife-shaped center folding member into the center of the sheet bundle, and rotating and driving the pair of center folding rolls, the bundle of sheets whose center is bound is Is provided with a center-folding means for folding the sheet into two.

Further, the sheet post-processing apparatus according to this embodiment includes a sheet discharging means for discharging a bundle of sheets bound by the stapling means for edge binding, and a sheet discharging means for edge binding. Sheet binding means for storing the bundle of sheets discharged by the means in a stacked state, sheet discharging means for saddle binding for discharging the bundle of sheets bound by the staple means for saddle stitching, And a saddle stitching sheet accommodating means for discharging a bundle of sheets stapled by the saddle stapling means.

Further, the sheet post-processing apparatus according to this embodiment is provided with a moving mechanism for moving the sheet along one edge along the edge stapling means.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the direction in which the apparatus is viewed is opposite to the front and rear direction, so that the sheet discharge or introduction direction is reversed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet post-processing apparatus has a sheet post-processing apparatus main body 50 formed in a vertically long rectangular parallelepiped shape. A transfer sheet 2 discharged from a discharge section of the digital color copying machine main body 1 is provided on a side surface on one side.
A sheet introduction port 52 for introducing a sheet 51 such as 4 into the inside is opened. Further, inside the sheet post-processing apparatus main body 50, guide members 54 and 55 for guiding the sheet 51 introduced from the sheet introduction port 52 onto an alignment tray 53 as an alignment tray member have an inverted S-shape. It is arranged so as to be curved. This guide member 54,
A pair of transport rollers 5 including a driving roller and a driven roller for transporting the sheet 51
6 to 59 are provided in plural sets.

Further, inside the sheet post-processing apparatus main body 50, the guide members 54 and 55 and the conveying roller pair 56 are provided.
To 59, the plurality of sheets 51 sequentially conveyed by
An alignment tray 53 is provided to be placed in alignment with the lower edge thereof as a reference. The alignment tray 53 is attached to the inside of the sheet post-processing apparatus main body 50 in a state of being slightly inclined with respect to the vertical direction so that the lower end portion is located near the exit of the guide members 54 and 55. As shown in FIG. 1, the alignment tray 53 includes a straight portion 53a linearly arranged in the sheet post-processing device main body 50, and a curved portion 53b attached to the distal end side of the straight portion 53a in a curved state. , A split-type tray divided into two members. The straight portion 53 of the matching tray 53
A guide plate 60a is linearly arranged on the rear end side of the a in such a manner as to face the linear portion 53a at a predetermined interval, and the curved portion 53b has the curved portion 5a.
Guide plate 60 so as to face at a predetermined distance from
b is arranged in a curved state.

The sheet 51 conveyed by the guide members 54 and 55 and the conveying roller pairs 56 to 59 is
The sheet is discharged onto an alignment tray 53 disposed in an inclined state by a pair of conveying rollers 59 provided at an outlet of the guide members 54 and 55. At this time, the transport roll pair 5
9 is placed under its own weight on an alignment tray 53 attached in an inclined state, and the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction is changed by right and left tampers 61 and 62 described later. The same direction as the direction is, as shown in FIG.
Thus, the sheets 51 are aligned and stopped in a state where the lower edge of the sheet 51 is in contact with the reference fence 64 provided at the lower end of the alignment tray 53. as a result,
Sheet 5 sequentially conveyed by the conveying roll pair 59
1 are sequentially stacked on the alignment tray 53 with one end edge thereof aligned by the reference fence 64. In addition,
The front end of the reference fence 64 is folded back toward the front in order to reliably prevent the sheet 51 placed on the alignment tray 53 from falling off.

The reference fence 64 can be retracted by pivoting downward, and can move in parallel along the linear portion 53a of the alignment tray 53. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, three reference fences 64 are attached along the longitudinal direction of the rotary shaft 65, and the rotary shaft 65 connects the reference fences 64 in parallel along the alignment tray 53. A slide member 66 for movement is rotatably supported via a bearing 67. An arm member 69 having a shaft portion 68 for rotating the reference fence 64 is fixed to an intermediate portion of the rotation shaft 65. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the shaft portion 68 of the arm member 69 is loosely inserted into a U-shaped groove 69a provided in the rotating member 69. A gear portion 72 that meshes with a gear 71 that is driven to rotate. The reference fence 64 is provided with a drive motor 70.
Is rotated to rotate the rotating member 69,
The rotation member 69 is rotatable downward, for example, at an angle of 100 degrees through a shaft portion 68 loosely inserted into the U-shaped groove portion 69a.

Further, the slide member 66 on which the reference fence 64 is rotatably mounted is slid on two rods 90 arranged along the alignment tray 53 as shown in FIGS. It is freely mounted, and can be moved to a predetermined position along the alignment tray 53 by a drive wire wound between pulleys (not shown) supported on the drive shaft 91 and the driven shaft 92, respectively. ing. The drive motor 70 for rotating the reference fence 64 is attached to the slide member 66 and is movable with the slide member 66. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 93 denotes a drive motor for rotating the drive shaft 91, and in FIG.
Shows a cut-out portion provided for passing through the reference fence 64.

The linear portion 53a of the matching tray 53
On the upper side, as shown in FIGS.
3. The above-mentioned left and right tampers 61, 6 for aligning the sheet 51 placed on the sheet 3 in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction.
2 are provided. The left tamper 61 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 9, it is slidably attached to two rods 95 and 96 arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the sheet 51 is conveyed. The lower ends of the left and right tampers 61 and 62 are, as shown in FIG.
Are slidable on three sliding guide rails 97, 98, 99 which are provided in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction. The left and right tampers 61, 62 have rack gears 100, 10 arranged along their moving directions.
1, two pinion gears 102, 103 meshing with the two rack gears 100, 101 are mounted on the sheet post-processing apparatus main body 50 side. A drive gear 105 attached to a drive shaft of a drive motor 104 attached to the sheet post-processing device main body 50 meshes with the two pinion gears 102 and 103. In addition, the two pinion gears 10
Each of the pinion gears 2 and 103 has a built-in electromagnetic clutch (not shown), and the two pinion gears 102 and 103 can be selectively driven to rotate by these electromagnetic clutches. When both the electromagnetic clutches are turned on, the two pinion gears 102, 10 are driven by the drive gear 105 of the drive motor 104.
3 are driven to rotate together, and these two pinion gears 10
Two rack gears 100, 101 meshing with the two gears 2, 103
Move, and these two rack gears 102, 103
The left and right tampers 61, 62 to which are attached, respectively,
Simultaneously, the bundle of sheets 51 placed on the alignment tray 53 is aligned with the center of the alignment tray 53.

On the other hand, when only the electromagnetic clutch attached to the pinion gear 102 is turned on and the electromagnetic clutch attached to the other pinion gear 103 is turned off, only the left tamper 61 is driven, and the matching tray 5
The bundle of sheets 51 placed on the tray 3 is
3 are aligned based on one end (right side in the figure).

Further, the sheet post-processing device is provided at the lower end of the alignment tray 53 as stapling means for stapling the lower edge of the bundle of sheets 51 aligned on the alignment tray 53. Stapler for edge binding 1
06 is movably arranged along the lower edge of the sheet 51.

As shown in FIG. 10, the moving mechanism 73 for moving the end stapler 106 has a guide rail 74 for guiding the end stapler 106 in parallel along the edge of the sheet 51. The guide rail 74 includes an A4 size sheet 61 having a linear portion 74a corresponding to the length in the longitudinal direction thereof and a linear portion 74a.
a and inclined portions 74b which are respectively provided at both ends of the portion a so as to be inclined by 45 degrees. The guide rail 74 is
Two guide rollers 75, 76 provided along the moving direction at the upper end of the end stapler 106 run in a state fitted inside the guide rail 74. Therefore, the end stapling stapler 10
The locus of the movement of the guide rail 6 is defined by the shape of the guide rail 74. Further, the guide rail 74 is the same as that shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 11, the screw is screwed in a state fitted in the recess 78 provided in the guide plate 77, and the end plate is stapled on the guide plate 77 as shown in FIGS. Two at one end in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the stapling end stapler 106 at the upper end of the stapler 106 for
One guide roller 7 rotatably mounted on the opposite side
9, 79 and 80 run. As a result, the position of the end stapler 106 in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction is regulated by the two guide rollers 75 and 76 running on the guide rail 74, and the position in the vertical direction is on the guide plate 77. It is configured to move in a state where it is regulated by the three traveling guide rollers 79, 79, 80, and the plane on which the end stapler 106 moves is the same as the sheet 51 placed on the alignment tray 53. A plane is formed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the guide plate 77 to which the guide rail 74 is mounted is mounted on the sheet post-processing apparatus main body 50 via a bush 82 by a mounting substrate 81 fixedly arranged in an inclined state. Screws 83 are fixed at a plurality of places so as to maintain a constant interval. In addition, five driven pulleys 85 that rotatably support a drive belt 84 for moving the stapler 106 for end binding are rotatively mounted on the mounting substrate 81. As shown in FIG. 11, the drive belt 84 is wound around five driven pulleys 85, and a part 84a of the drive belt 84 is connected and fixed to the stapler 106 for end binding. Of the five driven pulleys 85, the central driven pulley 85a is movably supported in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the end stapler 106, and is always fixed to the drive belt 84 by a spring (not shown). It is biased to provide tension.

Further, among the five driven pulleys 85,
As shown in FIG. 12, the driven pulley 85b at one end has
Driving pulley 87 rotated and driven by driving motor 86
A belt 88 for transmitting the driving force is stretched around. The drive belt 84 is reciprocally movable by an arbitrary amount in an arbitrary direction by rotating a drive motor 86, and moves the end stapler 106 connected to the drive belt 84. Things. The driven pulley 85 and the drive belt 84 are
It is arranged between the guide plate 77 and the mounting board 81.

As shown in FIG. 1, the end stapling stapler 106 driven by the driving belt 84 is a position detecting member 10 attached to the stapler 106.
7 is detected by a reference position sensor 108 provided on the sheet post-processing apparatus main body 50 side, the reference position is detected, and thereafter, the amount of movement is controlled by controlling the rotation amount of a drive motor 86 that drives the drive belt 84. The position is controlled.

Further, the above-mentioned stapler 106 for edge binding is used.
Is the stapler 1 as shown in FIGS.
06, the staples of the stapler housed inside are protruded to penetrate the plurality of stacked sheets 51, and the tips of the needles are bent by the die of the movable part 110 so as to face each other. And a movable portion 110 that rotates around a fulcrum so as to abut against the fixed portion 109 and bends the tips of the needles so as to face each other by a die. I have. This end stapling stapler 106
The movable portion 109 is rotatable around a fulcrum through a plurality of gears 112 driven by a drive motor 111 so as to contact the fixed portion 110. Further, after the reference fence 64 has retreated, the end binding stapler 106 moves the fixed unit 110 and the movable unit 1.
09 moves so as to face each other via the edge of the sheet 51. At this time, the fixing portion 110 of the end stapler 106 and the surface of the sheet 51 are, as shown in FIG.
End stapling stapler 106 is attached to guide rail 74 and guide plate 77 so as to be parallel to each other.

The straight portion 53a of the matching tray 53
Above the sheet 5, the sheet 5 placed on the linear portion 53a
1 for pressing the plate 1 from above
Are mounted so as to be movable in the direction of coming into contact with and separating from the linear portion 53a.

Further, the sheet post-processing device is disposed at an intermediate portion of the aligning tray member, and is located at a position where the stapling means for saddle stitching for binding the central portion of the plurality of sheets aligned by the aligning tray member is fixed. Installed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the saddle stapling stapler 113 serving as the above-described saddle stapling means is disposed at an intermediate portion of the alignment tray 53, and the sheet 51 conveyed along the alignment tray 53. Against sheet 5
The stapling process is performed not at the end of the sheet 51 but at an intermediate position when the sheet 51 is folded in two at the center. The two staplers 113 for saddle stitching are arranged at predetermined intervals based on the center of the alignment tray 53 in the width direction by the right and left tampers 61 and 62.

As shown in FIG. 1, the stapler 113 for saddle stitching is movably mounted on the sheet post-processing apparatus main body 50 side, and the staples of the stapler accommodated therein are projected so as to be stacked. A movable portion 115 that penetrates a plurality of sheets 51, folds the tips of the needles so as to face each other by a die of a fixed portion 114 and performs stapling processing, and is fixed so as to be in contact with the movable portion 115. And a fixing portion 114 that bends the tips of the needles so as to face each other. The movable portion 115 of the saddle stitching stapler 113 is rotatable around a fulcrum through a plurality of gears 117 driven by a drive motor 116 so as to abut on the fixed portion 114. I have. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the fixing portion 114 of the saddle stapler 113 is integrally attached to a holder 118, and the holder 118 is attached to the sheet post-processing apparatus main body 50.
The movable rod 115 is supported by a sliding rod 119 so as to be movable in a protruding and retracting direction, and is opposed to a pressing force of a movable portion 115 by a compression spring 120. Further, the die 121 of the fixed portion 114 is slightly swingable by a rotation shaft 122, and
Even when the bundles have different thicknesses, they always come into contact with the movable portion 115 in an appropriate state.

In the sheet post-processing apparatus, the center of the bundle of sheets, the center of which is bound by the center stapling means, may be moved to the center of a pair of center folding rolls arranged so as to face each other. And press-fit a knife-shaped center-folding member into the center of the bundle of sheets,
A center folding unit is provided for folding a bundle of sheets whose central portion is bound into two by rotating and driving the pair of center folding rolls.

The center folding means 130 is provided with the folding knife 13.
1 and a folding roll 132. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the folding knife 131 is mounted on the sheet rear device main body 50 so as to be able to protrude and retract in a direction orthogonal to the bundle of sheets 51 aligned on the alignment tray 53. As shown in FIG. 15, the retracting mechanism 133 for retracting the folding knife 131 includes a casing 134 formed in an elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape. The casing 134 includes a holding member 135 to which the folding knife 131 is attached. It is mounted movably up and down. The knife holding member 135 includes a sliding rod 1 attached at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction of the casing 134.
36 is mounted movably along the up-down direction. The two knife holding members 135 are connected to the connecting rods 13.
7, a relatively long first crank member 138 is rotatably inserted into the connecting rod 137. A relatively short second crank member 139 is rotatably connected to the other end of the first crank member 138 via a rod portion 140 provided integrally with the second crank member 139. It is freely inserted. Further, the other end of the second crank member 139 is inserted in a state of being fixed to the drive shaft 142 via a D-cut portion 141 for preventing rotation. A driven gear 143 having a large diameter is fixedly attached to the drive shaft 142, and a driven gear 145 attached to a drive shaft of a drive motor 144 having a gear meshes with the driven gear 143. ing.

As shown in FIG. 14, the retracting mechanism 123 drives the drive motor 144 to rotate, thereby driving the drive gear 145 via the drive gear 145 attached to the drive shaft of the drive motor 144. The driven gear 143 meshed with is driven to rotate, and the drive shaft 142 to which the driven gear 143 is attached is driven to rotate. Then, the second shaft attached to the drive shaft 142
Of the first crank member 1 connected to the second crank member 139 while the crank member 139 of the first
38 also rotates. Then, the first crank member 13
With the rotation of 8, the connecting rod 137 connected to one end of the first crank member 138 moves vertically, and holds the knife connected to the connecting rod 137. The member 135 also moves up and down together. As a result, the folding knife 131 attached to the knife holding member 135 also moves with a large stroke in the direction in which it comes out of the casing 134.
A guide member 166 is provided at the tip of the folding knife 131 in the most protruding state, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 14, for guiding the folding knife 131 in a fitted state. . As shown in FIG. 14, the guide member 166 has a slit 167 into which the tip of the folding knife 131 is fitted, and a tapered portion for guiding the tip of the folding knife 131 is provided at the upper end of the slit 167. 168 are provided.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the folding roll 132 is constructed such that a pair of rolls 132a and 132b having the same diameter are pressed against each other at a high pressure and driven to rotate. It is arranged so as to be pressed against the other roll 132a, and is movable in a direction of coming into contact with and separating from the other roll 132a.

As shown in FIG. 14, the center-folding means 130 holds the center of the bundle of sheets 51 whose center is bound by the center-stapling stapler 113 in a pair of middle sheets arranged so as to face each other. The sheet is moved to the center of the folding roll 132, the center folding knife 131 is pressed into the center of the bundle of the sheets 51, and
By driving the rotation of the sheet 32, the bundle of sheets 51 whose central portion is bound is folded into two.

Further, the sheet post-processing apparatus has a sheet discharging means for discharging a bundle of sheets bound by the end stapling means or the saddle stapling means.

In other words, the sheet post-processing apparatus shown in FIG.
As shown in (1), an injection roll 147 is provided at an exit portion of the curved portion 53b of the alignment tray 53, and the injection roll 147 is configured to be rotationally driven by driving means (not shown). Further, above the injection roll 147, the sheet 51 stacked together with the injection roll 147 is held in a sandwiched state, and after the stapling process of the edge binding is completed, the sheet 51 is discharged from the sheet discharge port 148. A pinch roll 150 to be transported onto a stacking tray 149 for edge binding provided outside the post-processing device main body 50 is arranged. The stacking tray 149 for edge binding is attached to the sheet post-processing apparatus main body 50 in a state of being inclined upward as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 16, the pinch roll 150 is rotatably attached to a distal end portion of an attachment plate 151 formed of a leaf spring, and the attachment plate 151 has a rotating shaft 152.
Is mounted so as to be rotatable around the center. As shown in FIG. 16, an arm member 153 for rotating the mounting plate 151 is attached to one end of the rotary shaft 152. The drive motor 154 is attached to the arm member 153.
As a result, the eccentric roller 156 mounted at a position eccentric with respect to the rotation shaft 155 of the drive motor 154 comes into contact with the rotation shaft 155 of the drive motor 154. A slit plate 158 provided with a slit 158a at a predetermined angle is attached to a rotation shaft 155 of the drive motor 154, and the slit 158 of the slit plate 158 is provided.
“a” is detected by two sensors 159 and 160 arranged at positions 180 ° opposite to each other. When the mounting plate 151 drives the drive motor 154 to rotate, the eccentric roller 156 that is driven to rotate by the drive motor 154 pushes down the arm member 153 and rotates the rotary shaft 152 to which the arm member 153 is attached. Thus, the pinch roll 150 sandwiches the sheet 51 together with the injection roll 147. At this time, the moving amount and the moving timing of the pinch roll 150 are determined by the slit plate 158, the sensor 159,
160.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 161 denotes a stacking tray 14 for edge binding below the stacking tray 149 for edge binding.
9 shows an auxiliary tray for edge binding attached to the sheet post-processing device main body 50 in a state of being inclined upward as in FIG.

Further, the above-mentioned sheet post-processing apparatus forms a bundle of sheets 51 which are saddle-stitched by the saddle-stitching stapler 113 and center-folded by the center-folding means 130.
A stacking tray 163 for saddle stitching discharged from the sheet discharge port 162 is attached to the sheet post-processing apparatus main body 50 in a state of being inclined downward. As described above, since the stacking tray 163 for saddle stitching is attached to the sheet post-processing apparatus main body 50 in a state of being inclined downward, the saddle-stitched sheet discharged to the stacking tray 163 for saddle stitching is used. The bundle of 51 is pressed against each other by its own weight, and can maintain the folded state.

Further, between the center folding roll 132 of the center folding means 130 and the sheet discharge port 162, there are provided a discharge roll 164 for discharging the bundle of the sheets 51 folded in the middle stitch and a guide member 165. Are provided.

In the above-described configuration, the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is capable of performing saddle stitching in addition to edge stapling as well as increasing the size and complexity of the apparatus as follows. The cost can be reduced without inviting. Further, the sheet post-processing apparatus according to this embodiment includes a center folding unit for automatically folding the saddle-stitched sheet into two when saddle-stitching the sheet. It is possible to automatically and precisely fold the bound sheet into two. Further, in the sheet post-processing apparatus according to this embodiment, the operability of the post-processed sheet is improved by discharging the edge-stitched sheet and the saddle-stitched sheet to different trays. It has become possible.

That is, in a digital color copying machine in which the above-mentioned sheet post-processing apparatus is combined, as shown in FIG.
When a series of image information is input to the image processing unit 12, toner images of cyan, yellow, magenta, and black are sequentially formed on the photosensitive drum 20 based on the image information output from the image processing unit 12. The photosensitive drum 20 is formed
The toner images of the respective colors formed thereon are sequentially and multiplexly transferred onto a transfer sheet 24 held on a transfer drum 23. The transfer sheet 24 to which these toner images have been transferred is fixed by the fixing device 35 with heat and pressure. Then, the sheet 51 made of the transfer paper 24 or the like on which the toner image has been transferred is moved by the sheet reversing path 48 shown in FIG.
The sheet is discharged from the digital color copying machine in a state where it is turned upside down as necessary, and is sent to a sheet post-processing device arranged so as to be continuous with the paper discharge section of the digital color copying machine.

In this sheet post-processing apparatus, as shown in FIG. 1, the transfer paper 2 discharged from the digital color copying machine is used.
The sheet 51 composed of the sheet post-processing apparatus main body 50
Is introduced into the inside by the transport roll pairs 56 to 59 from the introduction port 52 of the first roller. The sheet 51 introduced into the sheet post-processing apparatus main body 50 is conveyed onto the alignment tray 53 by a plurality of pairs of conveying rolls 56 to 59 along guide members 54 and 55, and is inclined by its own weight. It slides on the alignment tray 53 arranged in a state where it is placed, and is placed on the alignment tray 53 with the lower end edge abutting on the reference fence 64. At this time, the matching tray 6
The sheet 51 conveyed while being placed on the sheet 4 is aligned with its lower end edge in contact with the reference fence 64 by its own weight and the conveying force of the rubber paddle 63, and the sheet 51 is conveyed in the conveying direction. As shown in FIG. 9, the direction orthogonal to the direction is one end in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction when performing edge binding, and the direction orthogonal to the transport direction when performing saddle stitching. Tamper 6
In the state of being aligned by the first and the second 62, they are sequentially stacked and placed on the alignment tray 53.

Next, when stapling the lower end edge of the bundle of sheets 51 aligned on the alignment tray 53, the bundle of sheets 51 is aligned on the alignment tray 53 by the pressing member 146. It is pressed onto the alignment tray 53.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the reference fence 64 is turned downward by rotating the drive motor 70, and the reference fence 64 is rotated by the stapler 106 for edge binding. Evacuate from the moving route. In this state, as shown in FIGS. 1, 10 and 18, the drive motor 86 for moving the stapler 106 for edge binding is driven to move the drive belt 84, thereby causing the stapler 106 for edge binding to move. Move to a predetermined position. At this time, when binding the corners of the sheet 51 obliquely, the stapler 106 for edge binding is stopped at the position shown in FIG. 18 and the stapler 106 for edge binding is stopped.
To perform stapling processing.

Further, in order to perform stapling processing for edge binding at another position of the bundle of sheets 51, the drive motor 8
6 is driven to rotate the stapler 106 for edge binding in FIG.
8, the stapling process of the edge binding is performed at a predetermined position of the sheet 51 by the stapler 106 for edge binding.

Then, in order to discharge the bundle of sheets 51 that have been subjected to the edge stapling, the reference fence 6
4 is returned to the original position, the pressing state by the pressing member 146 is released, and the reference fence 64 is moved upward along the linear portion 53a of the alignment tray 53, and the upper end of the bundle of sheets 51 is moved. Comes to the position of the injection roll 147. In this state, the pinch roll 150 is rotated by the mechanism shown in FIGS. 1 and 16, and the upper end of the bundle of sheets 51 moved to the position of the injection roll 147 is held together with the injection roll 147. Thereafter, by rotating and driving the above-mentioned injection roll 147, the bundle of sheets 51 subjected to the stapling process of the edge binding is transferred to the sheet post-processing apparatus main body 5.
The sheet is discharged from the sheet discharge port 148 provided on the side surface of the sheet No. 0 onto the stacking tray 149 for edge binding.

On the other hand, when the center of the bundle of the sheets 51 aligned on the alignment tray 53 along the transport direction is saddle-stitched, the sheets 51 aligned on the alignment tray 53 are The reference fence 64 is moved by a predetermined amount in parallel to the alignment tray 53 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 so that the center of the bundle is located at the staple position of the saddle stapler 113. In this state, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, a drive motor 116 for driving the stapler 113 for saddle stitching is driven to perform saddle stitching.

Thereafter, the stapler 11 for saddle stitching is used.
The bundle of the sheets 51 subjected to the saddle stapling process by the center 3 is moved slightly upward by the reference fence 64, and the center of the bundle of the sheets 51 subjected to the saddle stapling process is changed to the saddle stitching means. The center roller 130 is moved so as to be located at the center of the center folding roller 132.

In this state, as shown in FIG. 14, the center folding means 130 is disposed so that the central portions of the bundle of sheets 51 whose central portions are bound by the saddle stapler 113 face each other. A pair of center folding rolls 13
2, the center folding knife 131 is pressed into the center of the bundle of sheets 51, and the pair of center folding rolls 132 is driven to rotate, so that the bundle of sheets 51 whose center is bound is Is folded into two.

The bundle of sheets 51 folded in the middle by the middle folding means 130 is conveyed along the guide member 165 by the center folding roll 132 and the discharge roll 164, and the stapling process and the center folding of the saddle stitch are performed. The bundle of applied sheets 51 is discharged from a sheet discharge port 162 provided on a side surface of the sheet post-processing apparatus main body 50 onto a stacking tray 163 for saddle stitching.

As described above, in the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the above embodiment, a plurality of sheets 51 on which an image is formed are provided.
Tray 53, which is placed in a state of being aligned with one edge as a reference, and an edge which is disposed on one end side of the alignment tray 53 and binds one edge of a plurality of sheets 51 arranged on the alignment tray 53. A stapler 106 for binding and an intermediate portion of the alignment tray 53 are provided.
The central stapler 113 that binds the central portion of the plurality of sheets 51 aligned by the third tray 3 and the plurality of sheets 51 that are aligned by the alignment tray 53 are positioned at the central stapler 113 at the center. The reference fence 64 also serving as a sheet moving unit that moves the bundle of sheets 51, and the stapler 106 for end binding or the stapler 11 for saddle stitching.
3 includes an eject roll 147, a pinch roll 150, and a discharge roll 164 as sheet discharge means for discharging a bundle of sheets 51 bound by the stapler 106, and a stapler 106 for edge binding and a saddle stitch for center binding. The stapler 113 is provided separately from the stapler 113, and, of course, saddle stitching is possible in addition to end stapling.
What is necessary is just to design separately according to the function requested | required of each stapler 106,113, and, as in the case where one stapling means is used for end binding and saddle stitching, the movement of the sheet and the movement of the staple The means becomes complicated, and the apparatus is not increased in size and complexity, and the cost can be reduced.

Further, in the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the above-described embodiment, the central portion of the bundle of sheets 51, the central portion of which is bound by the saddle stapler 113, is arranged so as to face each other. Middle folding roll 132
To the center of the bundle of sheets 51, and the center folding knife 131 is pressed into the center of the bundle of sheets 51, and the pair of center folding rolls 132 is driven to rotate, so that the bundle of sheets 51 whose center is bound is The sheet 51 is configured to include the middle folding means 130 for folding the sheet 51 into two.
The saddle-stitched sheet 51 is
Can be automatically and accurately folded into two by the center folding means 130.

Further, in the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the above-described embodiment, the injection roll 147 and the pinch roll as sheet discharge means for end binding for discharging the bundle of sheets 51 bound by the stapler 106 for end binding. 150, a stacking tray 149 for edge binding that stores a stack of sheets 51 discharged by the injector roll 147 and the pinch roll 150 in a stacked state, and a stack of sheets 51 bound by the stapler 113 for saddle stitching. A discharge roll 164 as a sheet discharge unit for the saddle stitch to be discharged, and the stapler 1 for the saddle stitch
The stacking tray 163 for discharging the bundle of sheets 51 bound by the stack 13 is configured to be separately provided, so that the edge-stitched sheet 51 and the saddle-stitched sheet 51 The different loading trays 14
By discharging the sheet 51 to the stack tray 9 or the stacking tray 163, it is possible to improve the operability of the sheet 51 after the post-processing.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 9 shows Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The same parts as those in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and described. Sheet post-processing equipment
The saddle stitching processing unit including the stapling means and the center folding means for saddle stitching is integrally unitized, and the saddle stitching processing unit is configured to be detachably attached to the apparatus main body.

That is, in the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19, the stapler 113 for saddle stitching and the center folding means 130 are integrally unitized. 170 is detachable from the sheet post-processing apparatus main body 50, and for a user who does not use the stapler for saddle stitching,
The saddle stitching unit 170 can be removed. In this manner, the saddle stitching unit 170 including the center stapling stapler 113 and the center folding unit 130 is configured to be detachable, so that not only the user who uses the stapling stapler 113 and the like, but also the center stapling For users who do not use the stapler 113 or the like, the sheet post-processing device 50 can be used in common, and there is an advantage that the manufacturing cost of the device can be reduced accordingly.

The other configurations and operations are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0092]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an alignment tray member on which a plurality of sheets on which the images are formed are placed in alignment with one edge as a reference. Staple means for stapling one edge of a plurality of sheets arranged on the alignment tray member, which is arranged on one end side of the alignment tray member, and arranged at an intermediate portion of the alignment tray member, Saddle stapling means for binding the central portion of the plurality of sheets aligned by the sheet alignment tray member, and the plurality of sheets aligned by the alignment tray member, the central portion of the plurality of sheets to the stapling means for saddle stitching. A sheet moving means for moving the sheet bundle so as to be positioned, and discharging the sheet bundle bound by the end stapling means or the saddle stapling means. Sheet discharging means, so that the stapling means for end stapling and the staple means for saddle stitching are separately provided, so that the center stapling can be performed in addition to the end stapling. The staple means for binding and the staple means for saddle stitching may be designed separately according to the function required for each staple means, and when one staple means is used for end stapling and saddle stitching. As described above, the means for moving the sheet and the means for moving the stapling means become complicated, so that the apparatus is not increased in size and complicated, and the cost can be reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the central portion of the bundle of sheets, the central portion of which is bound by the saddle stapling means, is placed in a pair of middle sheets arranged so as to face each other. By moving the sheet to the center of the folding roll, pressing the knife-shaped center folding member into the center of the sheet bundle, and rotating and driving the pair of center folding rolls, the bundle of sheets whose center is bound is It is configured to have a middle folding means for folding the
When saddle-stitching is performed on a sheet, the saddle-stitched sheet is automatically and accurately detected by the center-folding means.
It is possible to break it into two.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the saddle stitching processing section comprising the saddle stapling means and the center folding means is integrally unitized, and this saddle stitching processing unit is integrated into the apparatus main body. In addition, since it is configured to be detachably attached, it is possible to perform saddle stitching in addition to end stapling, and for a user who only needs end stitching, a saddle stitching processing unit is provided. By removing it from the main body, it is possible to easily cope with it.

Further, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet discharging means for edge binding for discharging a bundle of sheets bound by the stapling means for edge binding,
End stapling sheet accommodating means for accommodating the stack of sheets discharged by the end stitching sheet discharging means in a stacked state, and saddle stitching for discharging the sheet bundle bound by the saddle stapling means. And the sheet storage means for discharging the bundle of sheets bound by the staple means for saddle stitching are separately provided. By discharging the sheet and the saddle-stitched sheet to different sheet storage units, the operability of the post-processed sheet can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a sheet post-processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a digital color copying machine as an embodiment of an image forming apparatus to which a sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing an image forming unit of the digital color copying machine.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a transfer drum.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a mechanism for moving a reference fence.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a mechanism for moving a reference fence.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a mechanism for rotating a reference fence.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a mechanism for moving the tamper.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a mechanism for moving the tamper.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a moving mechanism for moving the stapler for edge binding.

FIGS. 11 (a) and 11 (b) are configuration diagrams respectively showing main parts of a moving mechanism for moving a stapler for edge binding.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram showing a main part of a moving mechanism for moving a stapler for edge binding.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram showing a fixing portion of a stapler for saddle stitching.

FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram showing a center folding unit.

FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram showing a center folding unit.

FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram showing a mechanism for moving a pinch roll.

FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram showing a sheet stacking tray.

FIG. 18 is a configuration diagram showing a state in which a stapler for edge binding is moved.

FIG. 19 is a configuration diagram showing a sheet post-processing apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

50: sheet post-processing apparatus main body, 51: sheet, 53: alignment tray, 64: reference fence, 106: stapler for edge binding, 113: stapler for center binding, 14
7: Inject roll, 150: Pinch roll, 16
4: discharge roll, 149: stacking tray for edge binding, 16
3: Loading tray for saddle stitching.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A sheet post-processing that performs post-processing in which a plurality of sheets on which images are formed are aligned with reference to one edge, and one edge of the aligned sheets or a central portion of the sheets is stapled by stapling means. In the processing apparatus, an alignment tray member for mounting the plurality of sheets on which the images are formed in alignment with one edge as a reference, disposed on one end side of the alignment tray member, and provided on the alignment tray member A stapling unit for edge binding for binding one edge of the arranged plurality of sheets; and a stapling unit arranged at an intermediate portion of the alignment tray member and binding a central portion of the plurality of sheets aligned by the sheet alignment tray member. Stapling means for stapling, and a plurality of sheets aligned by the alignment tray member, so that the center portion thereof is positioned at the stapling means for saddle stitching. A sheet moving means for moving a bundle of sheets, and a sheet discharging means for discharging a bundle of sheets bound by the end stapling means or the saddle stapling means. apparatus. 2. A central portion of a bundle of sheets, the central portion of which is bound by the center stapling means, is moved to a central portion of a pair of center folding rolls arranged so as to face each other, and A center-folding means is provided for pressing the knife-shaped center-folding member into the center of the bundle and rotating the pair of center-folding rolls to bend the bundle of sheets bound at the center into two. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 3. A saddle stitching processing unit comprising a saddle stapling unit and a center folding unit is integrally unitized,
3. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the saddle stitching unit is detachably attached to the apparatus main body. 4. A sheet discharging means for discharging a sheet bundle bound by the staple means for edge binding, and a bundle of sheets discharged by the sheet discharging means for edge binding are stacked. A sheet accommodating unit for edge stitching to be accommodated, a sheet discharging unit for saddle stitching for discharging a bundle of sheets bound by the stapling unit for saddle stitching, and a sheet stapling unit for the saddle stapling unit. A sheet storage unit for saddle stitching for discharging the bundle,
The sheet post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a moving mechanism for moving the sheet along one edge of the staple unit for end stapling. Sheet post-processing equipment.